Hacking your way to social media growth
If you’re running a small business in 2024, social media is a must-have. Studies show that 74% of customers rely on social media for purchasing decisions.
But here’s the thing — the social media landscape is highly dynamic. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, boom! There’s a new algorithm, a hot new platform, or a new trend that seemingly came out of nowhere.
That’s why staying on top of your social media game is crucial. The strategies that worked like a charm last year will most likely fall flat today. But don’t worry — in this article, we’ll explore essential hacks to help your small business stand out on social platforms in 2025.
Small business social media growth: One platform at a time
On a macro level, there are certain rules that must be respected on every channel. From brand consistency to being forthcoming with customers, such things shouldn’t be discussed. Yes, they’re crucial, but they’re also baby steps in terms of social media management.
Beyond the basics, you must leverage the strength of each platform, and weave them together so your brand can make an impact.
Let’s take a look at 3 essential ones.
TikTok: Leverage viral trends
Viral trends are the lifeblood of TikTok, and for small businesses, they’re a golden ticket to massive exposure. Why? Because jumping on a trend can catapult your content onto millions of users’ For You pages, regardless of your follower count.
To leverage viral trends effectively, dedicate time daily to scroll through your For You page and explore the Discover tab, looking for recurring sounds, hashtags, or video formats gaining traction.
When you spot a trend that fits your brand, you need to act fast. Create and post your version within 24-48 hours for maximum impact. Don’t just copy the trend; add your unique spin to showcase your products or services. And don’t forget to use trending sounds, as TikTok’s algorithm favors videos with popular audio.
Instagram: Maximize shoppable posts
With Instagram’s shoppable posts, you can effectively turn your feed into a virtual storefront. To maximize this feature, ensure your product catalog is up-to-date and well-organized.
Use high-quality, eye-catching images that showcase your products in the best light. Usually, the best, albeit not the cheapest, move is to hire a professional photographer to handle such photos.
Experiment with different formats — single-image posts, carousels, and Reels can all be made shoppable. Don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and geotags to increase discoverability.
X: Utilizing the new Communities feature
X’s Communities feature offers small businesses a fantastic opportunity to build engaged, niche audiences. Start by creating or joining Communities relevant to your industry or target market.
Don’t forget to share valuable, community-specific content that positions your brand as an expert. Follow this up by engaging genuinely with other community members and offering advice and insights without being overly promotional.
You can then use these communities to gather feedback, conduct informal market research, and build relationships with potential customers and industry peers. Remember, the key to success on X is consistent, authentic engagement — so make sure you’re regularly active in your chosen Communities.
Leveraging AI tools for growth
With AI tools for social media, you can work smarter, not harder, by automating time-consuming tasks and gathering insights that would be difficult or impossible to collect manually.
However, it’s quick to get lost in a plethora of software products and their seemingly identical features. That’s why you should start off by using AI to automate the following:
Content creation
AI tools are revolutionizing content creation for small businesses, especially when it comes to written content.
It goes without saying that using generative AI will help write copy or blogs, in addition to generating eye-catching visuals for social media, crafting engaging captions, and coming up with catchy hashtags.
Image creation options like Canva’s Magic Write, Midjourney, Rytr, GPT 4o, and DALL-E are inexpensive and easy to use.
Furthermore, using these tools allows you to maintain a consistent posting schedule without sacrificing quality or burning out your creative team. Remember, though, to constantly review and personalize AI-generated content, as skepticism surrounding AI is alive and well.
Chatbots for customer engagement
Tools like MobileMonkey or ManyChat allow you to create chatbots that can answer frequently asked questions, guide users through your product catalog, or even facilitate simple transactions.
However, to maintain trust with your customers and adhere to data protection requirements, you should still rely on using email to handle more sensitive customer inquiries or support issues requiring human intervention.
This combined approach not only improves customer satisfaction by providing instant responses but also frees up your team to focus on more complex customer interactions.
Audience analysis, segmentation, and personalization
AI excels at parsing large datasets to uncover valuable insights about your audience. Platforms like Sprout Social and Hootsuite now offer AI-powered analytics tools that can segment your audience based on behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns.
AI can also help predict the best times to post for maximum engagement and suggest content topics that are likely to resonate with your audience. With these capabilities, you can create more targeted, effective campaigns that drive better results.
When social media and e-commerce meet
Social commerce is reshaping online shopping by reducing friction in the buying process. Instead of redirecting customers to external e-commerce websites, platforms like Instagram and Facebook now allow businesses to showcase products, provide detailed information, and complete transactions all within the app.
This seamless experience not only improves conversion rates but also enhances the overall customer experience, making shopping more convenient and social. If you want to properly add social commerce to your strategy, you need to:
- Set up shoppable posts on Instagram and Facebook. Tag products directly in your images and videos, allowing users to tap and buy instantly.
- Utilize Facebook Shops to create a full-fledged storefront on your Facebook and Instagram pages. This feature lets you customize your shop’s look and feel to match your brand identity.
- Implement “Buy” buttons on Pinterest. This platform’s visual nature makes it ideal for product discovery, and buyable pins can turn browsers into buyers.
- Explore X’s Shop Module if it’s available for your account. This feature allows you to showcase products at the top of your profile.
Become a social media business superstar
The social media landscape in 2024 is ripe with opportunities for small businesses ready to seize them. From leveraging platform-specific features to harnessing AI for content creation and audience analysis, these strategies turn your social media profiles into powerful sales channels for your small business.
That said, remember that social media success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistent effort, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt. Start by implementing one or two of these strategies and build from there. Monitor your results, adjust your approach, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
